In recent years, drone technologies have been explored for a range of applications in conservation including (but not limited to) mapping, biodiversity inventories, antipoaching patrols, wildlife tracking, and fire monitoring. The rise of customizable, open-source drones like those of ArduPilot and OpenROV hold promise for more effective conservation applications, and combined with other monitoring sensors and devices, they are capable of collecting high-resolution data quickly, noninvasively, and at relatively low cost.
However, challenges remain in putting these tools to use. A recent paper reviewing 256 conservation drone projects highlighted some of these major obstacles, ranging from unintended social and ecological consequences of drone operations to still prohibitive costs, both in terms of hardware and in terms of storing and processing large volumes of data. The longstanding challenge of power/battery life remains as well.
If you're considering trying out drones for yourself, and want to explore the possibilities and understand the major conversations happening around this technology, check out these beginner's resources and conversations from across the WILDLABS platform:
Three Resources for Beginners:
- Conservation Technology User Guidelines Issue 5: Drones, World Wildlife Fund | Drones, best practices, ethics, regulations, case studies
- WILDLABS Virtual Meetup Recording: Drones, Craig Elder, Dr. Claire Burke, and Gabriel Levin | Drones, thermal camera, wildlife crime, ML, biologging
- New Paper: Drones and Bornean Orangutan Distribution, Sol Milne | Drones, data analysis, citizen science, community science, primates
Three Forum Threads for Beginners:
- Curious about radio-tracking with drones? | Wildlife Drones, Biologging (5 replies)
- Drones for GIS Best practice Document | Adrian Hughes, Drones (10 replies)
- WWF Conservation Technology Series: Drones in Conservation | Aurélie Shapiro, Drones (7 replies)
Three Tutorials for Beginners:
- How do I use a drone to capture radio-tracking data? | Debbie Saunders, Tech Tutors
- How do I choose the right drone for my conservation goals? | Shashank Srinivasan, Tech Tutors
- How do I strategically allocate drones for conservation? | Elizabeth Bondi, Tech Tutors
Want to know more about using drones, and learn from experts in the WILDLABS community? Make sure you join the conversation in our Drones group!
*Header photo: Parker Levinson, Point Blue Conservation Science
No showcases have been added to this group yet.
- @Ngunu_24
- | He\him
I'm a marine biologist working at Local Ocean Conservation as a marine research and data manager. I love exploring the wonders of the underwater world and learning about the amazing creatures that live there. I'm passionate about protecting our oceans and raising awareness.
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 11 Groups
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 11 Groups
Conservation Biologist working in marine conservation in Cambodia who recognizes tech as the new age of conservation, monitoring, surveillance and prevention of wildlife crime.
- 0 Resources
- 7 Discussions
- 2 Groups
- @fabianiodrobo
- | He/Him/His
I am a Computer Engineer, love tech and possibilities of new discoveries, hoping always to use my work to collaborate in make a better world
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 1 Groups
Hello, I am working as Enterprise Solution Architect with Department of Conservation, New Zealand Government. I am keen to learn the progresses and advancements made in the conservation space. This will provide us the starting point to collaborate and implement the technology.Tkx
- 0 Resources
- 7 Discussions
- 11 Groups
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 9 Groups
- @mphamilton
- | he/him
University of California
retired Field Station Director, very early adopter of conservation technologies
- 0 Resources
- 1 Discussions
- 14 Groups
Fauna & Flora
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 6 Groups
Rewilding Rhodopes Foundation
- 0 Resources
- 2 Discussions
- 4 Groups
- 0 Resources
- 2 Discussions
- 1 Groups
- @mja78
- | He/Him
- 0 Resources
- 1 Discussions
- 3 Groups
- @guitarfishmasum
- | He/His
Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
Wildlife Biologist and Marine Conservationist
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 18 Groups
Article
ICOTEQ launch TAGRANGER® system of products
Craig Rackstraw
TagRanger® is a state-of-the-art wildlife finding, monitoring and tracking solution for research, conservation and environmental professionals. With superior configurability for logging data, reporting location and...
23 November 2023
Link
A secure platform designed for those working to monitor & protect natural resources. Insight facilitates sharing experience, knowledge & tools to increase efficiency & effectiveness in conservation. By...
7 November 2023
Article
With the rising threats to biodiversity such as wildlife crime, climate change and human-wildlife conflict today, wildlife monitoring technologies have become vital to study movement ecology, behaviour patterns, changes...
25 October 2023
Article
Listen in on our interview with Mara Elephant Project’s Tracking Manager, Wilson Sairowua, as he explains how MEP is using software, geofencing and drone technologies to resolve human-elephant conflict across Maasai...
20 October 2023
Careers
Conservation Innovation Manager
David Will
Island Conservation's Innovation Team is dedicated to developing innovative, data-driven tools to increase the scale, scope, and pace of island restorations around the world. As the Conservation Innovation Manager, you...
27 September 2023
Article
Rewildology Podcast - Wildlife Tracking
Wildlife Drones
An engaging conversation about wildlife drones
21 August 2023
Article
In this article, Sol Milne discusses his experiences with sustainability, both in terms of environmental impact and project longevity, and considers how uncoupling conservation work from colonial ideas can help us build...
9 August 2023
Article
#Tech4Wildlife Photo Challenge: Judges' Panel Honorees
WILDLABS Team
Please join us in celebrating this year’s top #Tech4Wildlife Photo Challenge Honorees as chosen by our panel of leading conservation organization judges, and enjoy the story contained within these entries about how our...
4 August 2023
Link
Mapping seagrass with drones and AI
Ellie Warren
GeoNadir shared how drones and AI can help assess seagrass habitats at the Great Barrier Reef, as well as how satellite imagery can monitor seagrass on a wider scale.
4 August 2023
Article
Join us as we count down the WILDLABS community's honorees in the first-ever #Tech4Wildlife Community Choice Awards!
3 August 2023
Funding
2023 Canon Oceania Grants - Environmental Grant AU$5,000
Esther Githinji
Applications are now open till 23 July for the 2023 Canon Oceania Grants with the category of the Environmental Grant valued at AU$5,000. The finalist will be selected based on the environmental and social merits of...
7 July 2023
Article
Osa Conservation: A Multi-Tech Toolbox of Solutions
Osa Conservation
In this Conservation Tech Showcase case study from Osa Conservation, you’ll learn about how technology is aiding their long-term efforts to prevent wildlife crime, protect critical species, and build a climate-adaptive...
22 June 2023
September 2025
event
Louisa Richmond-Coggan
March 2026
December 2020
June 2020
November 2019
33 Products
Recently updated products
| Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hi WILDLABbers! We're looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow in the drones meetup. It's on Wednesday,... |
|
Drones | 5 years 9 months ago | |
| The next event in Season Three of the WILDLABS Virtual Meetup Series will focus on Drones. It is scheduled for Wednesday,... |
|
Drones | 5 years 9 months ago | |
| Dear all, Next November 2019 I will hold a aerial sowing workshop with Drones in Brazil, in Rondonopolis, in collaboration with the... |
|
Drones, Latin America Community | 5 years 11 months ago | |
| Hello everyone, I am applying to a call to create an online ecological restoration platform that incorporates drone images to facilitate... |
|
Drones | 6 years ago | |
| It is indeed. You can watch it here: https://consbio.org/products/webinars/scgis-webinar-promises-and-pitfalls-conservation-drones I'll also see if we can add it... |
|
Drones | 6 years ago | |
| Hi everyone, I am selling a drone and 3 sensors... The drone is a 178 WingCopter Heavylift :https://wingcopter.com/technology/... |
|
Drones | 6 years 2 months ago | |
| Thank you for the tip! Shall try and pick up a set soon. |
|
Drones | 6 years 2 months ago | |
| Hi Sophie, Sorry- I only just saw your reply! It took about 3 months to get it through the department of civil aviation, but this doesn't mean much, because the... |
|
Drones | 6 years 2 months ago | |
| https://news.mongabay.com/2019/01/drones-and-thermal-cameras-help-detect-cryptic-species/ |
|
Drones | 6 years 7 months ago | |
| If you need a piece of exposed (black) film then please get in touch. I still take "real" slides and have a few black frames at start and end of each roll of film.... |
|
Drones | 6 years 9 months ago | |
| We are starting a new drones project at the RSPB to looks at multispectral cameras. I would love to hear about any experience people... |
|
Drones | 6 years 11 months ago | |
| Hi Michael! Thanks so much for following up. I have yet to really get my feet wet with drones & algal blooms (my water quality issue of interest at the moment), but... |
|
Drones | 7 years 2 months ago |
